Kip Moore Condemns Violent Protests in Charlottesville
One woman died over the weekend in Charlottesville, Va., when a car slammed into counter-protesters rallying against the white nationalists, KKK and neo-Nazis who gathered in the city on Friday and Saturday (Aug. 11-12).
It's an event that has many Americans shocked and enraged, including Kip Moore, who shared his thoughts on the apparent hatred in the streets of Charlottesville via social media.
"If your parents taught you to hate people of color they're idiots. If you're an adult & still spewing their hate, that makes you a bigger idiot," he wrote on Sunday afternoon (Aug. 13).
Later, he shared a lengthy post on Facebook about the racism he witnessed growing up in South Georgia. He urges people to be the change in the world and speak out when they witness racism in their daily lives:
"I grew up in south GA, so I'm 100 percent aware of what racism looks like, sounds like, and what it feels like (when you hear it out of another's mouth). I was lucky to have parents that never instilled that toxic hatred in my bloodline. However, I did have a few friends that occasionally used the N word in their vocabulary. I'd have numerous fights and arguments about why they would say sh-- like that, eventually driving a wedge between any surface friendship we even had to begin with and cut those people from my life The one constant theme I learned at a young age was, they all developed those ignorant views from their ignorant parents who learned it from their ignorant parents. I lot people will read this and say 'amen' or 'well said' or 'that's how I feel' but you ain't doing sh-- about it in the real world."
Moore goes on to explain how kindness towards others can start as a "small ripple" and has the potential "of turning into a tidal wave." Instead of complaining about the state of the world, he urges people to stand up to those we see doing or saying racist things.
"It starts with each one of us individually if we wanna change what this world looks like. Go out of your way to take care of people and spread kindness. I'm not tryin to preach, but I'm way more concerned with the state of my fellow brother than the state of my Instagram following," he writes. "Take a break from your 100th bathroom selfie and pay attention to what's taking place around you. oh and to those that spew hateful comments on social media all the time yet have 'Jesus lover' as your profile heading.. that would prolly provoke Jesus to slap your dumb ass. The last thing I'll say is for the ones who will always miss the point and need it broken down. I condemn any protest that turns to violent.. Black, white, purple, yellow etc... I'm saddened anytime I see hatred towards one another and you should be ashamed if you don't feel the same way."
Moore is far from the only country artist to speak out about the rallies. Tim McGraw, Old Dominion, Maren Morris, Brothers Osborne, Ryan Hurd and several others shared their prayers for those hurt in Charlottesville, condemning the acts of the white nationalists.
See Country Singers' Tweets About the Events in Charlottesville